On 26 June 2018 the Council of the European Union adopted its conclusionson the revision of the EU Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS) Action Plan.

The European Union Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS) Action Planwas first adopted on 16 December 2014 with the aim of improving maritime security addressing issues that include cross-border and organized crime, threats to freedom of navigation, threats to biodiversity, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing or environmental degradation due to illegal or accidental discharge.

The Action Plan operationalises the EUMSSby updating and streamlining the existing actions while promoting new actions. In particular, the Action Plan aims to deliver cross-sectoral actions in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, mainstreaming maritime security into EU policies, strategies and instruments, in line with the EU Internal Security Strategy and other relevant EU policies.

In its conclusions, the Council has adopted the revised EUMSS Action Plan that allows for a more focused reporting process to enhance awareness and better follow-up to the strategy.The actions foreseen in the plan also contribute to the implementation of the EU Global Strategy, the renewed EU internal security strategy 2015-2020, the Council conclusions on global maritime security, and the joint communication on international ocean governance.

Davide Scavuzzo